Bodyguard: Ransom (Book 2) by Chris Bradford Read Free Book Online Page A

I feel like I’m rushing too fast into my next assignment,’ Connor argued. ‘I’ve only just got over my injury –’ he rubbed his thigh where the assassin’s bullet had struck – ‘and I’ve hardly had any advanced training.’
    ‘Don’t worry. You’ll get more training once you’re out there,’ assured Colonel Black. ‘The Ship Security Officer on board Mr Sterling’s yacht is a former member of the Australian SAS. I’ve checked his background. Brad Harding is a good man. He’ll back you up and he’s agreed to teach you and Ling the necessary maritime security skills.’
    ‘But …’ Connor stopped. He realized he was losing this line of argument, so went straight to the heart of the matter. ‘But I’m worried my first assignment was just a fluke. Beginner’s luck.’
    The colonel fixed Connor with an incredulous stare. ‘Ifthat’s the case, you have the luck of the gods, since you protected your Principal on
three
separate occasions. Listen, Operation Hidden Shield was a challenging assignment for any bodyguard.
Don’t doubt your abilities
. You’ve proven your reactions are second to none. Without question, you’re a chip off your father’s block.’
    ‘But I’m
not
my father,’ said Connor firmly. ‘I bet he never doubted himself like this.’
    Colonel Black leant back in his chair, steepled his fingers and gazed thoughtfully at Connor. ‘I’ll tell you a story about your father.’
    Connor’s ears suddenly perked up. This was one of the reasons he’d joined Buddyguard in the first place. To learn more about his dad and the secret life he’d led as an SAS operative. Colonel Black, having been in his father’s squadron, was the key to much of his hidden past.
    ‘We were based in Afghanistan at the time, when two SAS troopers were seized by the Taliban who had infiltrated the Afghan police,’ began the colonel. ‘Our commander immediately initiated a rescue operation. We knew that the hostages were still being held in the police station, but that they could be spirited away at any moment. Our unit was all ready to go in, when we got word from Operation Command that permission for the rescue
hadn’t
been granted by the MoD. There were apparently more important matters at stake than the lives of two soldiers … 
diplomatic
reasons.’
    Colonel Black’s face grew thunderous at the memory of such political betrayal.
    ‘The men were furious, none more so than your father,Justin. He lived by the decree that “no man is left behind on the battlefield”. So, as the unit’s captain, he decided to launch the rescue mission anyway.’
    ‘He disobeyed a
direct
order?’ said Connor, shocked.
    The colonel nodded. ‘I know Justin harboured doubts as to whether he should go ahead with it. After all, his actions were tantamount to mutiny. Failure would result in catastrophic consequences, not just militarily but diplomatically. But his priority was the captured soldiers.’
    Connor nodded and smiled. ‘That sounds like my father. My mother often said he always put others first.’
    ‘And that he did. Your father and the rest of his unit blasted their way into the police station. The soldiers fanned out, firing stun grenades and clearing each of the rooms in turn. As your father entered the last cell, he was confronted by a Taliban militant slicing a knife across one of the hostage’s throats.’
    Connor swallowed, instinctively putting a hand to his own throat at the gruesome image.
    ‘Your father’s reactions were second to none. He dispatched the militant with a single shot to the head.’
    ‘What about the hostage?’ asked Connor, breathless.
    Colonel Black reached up and pulled his shirt collar down to reveal the long white scar that circled his neck.
    ‘He survived,’ the colonel said with a smile. ‘That’s why I have such faith in you, Connor, to protect others – just like your father did.’

 
    Connor pulled on his board shorts and stuffed his belongings into